Therapeutic Effects of Lycopene Alone or in Combination with Cephalexin on Chronic Prostatitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a Rat Model

Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is caused by bacterial infection, commonly treated with fluoroquinolones. Due to rising antibiotic resistance, alternative therapies such as phytotherapy are being explored. Lycopene, a potential antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, is a candidate for such therapy. This study aims to evaluate lycopene’s therapeutic effects alone or with cephalexin against chronic prostate infections induced by Staphylococcus aureus using the Wistar rat model. The CBP model was established by introducing S. aureus through the urethra into the prostatic duct in 25 rats, confirming infection via uriculture and spermoculture analysis. Infected rats (n = 21) were grouped randomly: G1 (control), G2 (lycopene), G3 (cephalexin), and G4 (lycopene/cephalexin), in addition to negative control (G5) with healthy rats. Treatments were administered intragastrically, two times per day for 2 weeks: lycopene (10 mg/kg), cephalexin (2.5 mg/kg), or both. Biological samples (blood, urine, and prostate specimens) were collected for microbiological and histological analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in bacterial counts in urine and prostate (p < 0.01), especially in the group treated with both lycopene and cephalexin. This group also exhibited notable anti-inflammatory effects compared to single-treatment and control groups. In conclusion, lycopene combined with cephalexin demonstrated a beneficial synergistic effect, indicating its potential as an effective treatment for CBP caused by S. aureus.